Glenview actress finds deep connection in theatre by, for women

Actress Patrica Tinsley likes to be called just that – actress.

“I greatly dislike being called a ‘female actor,’” Tinsley said. “I feel that women find too many ways to diminish themselves and wish more women would embrace the term actress instead of seeing it as lesser title.”

But for the Glenview resident it goes beyond just a title. She feels a strong connection to theatre by and for women.

Tinsley has a long relationship with the Women’s Theatre Alliance, directing for its last four New Play Development Workshops – a role she’ll be returning to with this year’s event. She is a co-founder and co-artistic director of the rebekah theatre project, which has the dual mission of presenting great theatre and eradicating cancer (a portion of every ticket sold goes toward cancer research). And she is excited that her latest role, as Sharon in Strangeloop Theatre’s upcoming production Mitera, finds her in a female-centric production.

“I am excited to be working on a show written by a woman, directed by a woman that tells the story of the love and loyalty the three sisters have for each other and how it plays out within the action of the play,” Tinsley said.

Set amongst a small Greek community in the American Deep South during the months preceding the Supreme Court's landmark decision in the gay marriage case Obergefell v. Hodges, Mitera tells the story of the Sheridan sisters who discover their mother, upon her death, has left their entire inheritance contingent on the youngest sister marrying within a year. If she fails to do so everything goes to their oldest male cousin in Greece. But the youngest sister is an unattached romantic who believes in marrying for love.

Tinsley’s character, Sharon, is the youngest sister’s godmother, who turns out to be the ideal ally to have in a family squabble over land.

“I like it that Sharon is a strong, capable, independent and smart woman,” Tinsley said.

The story and characters are such that all audience members will be able to relate, she added.

“I think they’ll enjoy that love ultimately triumphs,” she said. “It's really a beautiful story.”

See Tinsley on stage in Strangeloop Theatre’s production of Mitera, running on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. April 7 through May 25 at The North Mansion at Berger Park. More information is available at strangelooptheatre.org.

Learn more about rebekah theatre project at rebekahtheatreproject.com.